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By Miles Chambers

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26-May-2013 15:11:00

German footballing icon Franz Beckenbauer was relieved that the winger turned his performance around to give Bayern Munich European glory

Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer has expressed how he began to "despair" over Arjen Robben's performance before the winger turned his first-half display on its head to win his side the Champions League.

The Dutchman was profligate in front of goal for the Bavarians in the first 45 minutes, firing clear-cut chances straight at Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, reminding football fans of his wastefulness 12 months earlier against Chelsea.

However, in the second half he set up Mario Mandzukic's opener before scoring the winning goal with just 90 seconds on the clock remaining, sending his side and their fans at Wembley into ecstasy.

"He did not take advantage on a few occasions, I had already begun to despair," 'Der Kaiser' is quoted by Caliciomercato as saying, "but it is a sign of fate that he did to score a goal like that."

Beckenbauer also gave Jurgen Klopp's men credit for preventing Bayern from dominating they way they had in their previous Champions League clashes - against Juventus in the last eight and Barcelona in the semi-finals.

"Dortmund did not allow Bayern to play as they usually do," he added. "The fact that Bayern won in spite of this shows how much class they have."

Jupp Heynckes' side can wrap up the first major treble in German football by beating Stuttgart in the DFB-Pokal final on June 1.